Bicoastal production company m ss ng p eces (mp) has added filmmaker Samir Mallal to its U.S. roster for both live action and VR/experiential/digital. Mallal is a multidisciplinary talent, making waves in commercials, documentary, and VR. Prior to joining mp, he was with Superprime and before that, Smuggler.
Mallal gained notice in the commercial world in 2010 with his Tropicana commercial “Arctic Sun,” which earned him a slot in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase at Cannes Lions, plus the Best Young Director award and a Gold Lion, and additional industry awards to boot. He soon signed with Smuggler and went on to helm commercials for major international brands including GE, Google, Coca-Cola and Starbucks, working with agencies such as BBDO, Deutsch, Y&R, Droga5, and JWT. He recently teamed with Within for “New Wave,” a cutting edge narrative VR film that pushes the limits of the medium, featuring voiceover that changes dynamically with the viewer’s position and field of view. As a creative leader in the space, he has spoken on storytelling in VR at both CES and MIT. Mallal began his career in the documentary realm, and has co-directed three feature length documentaries produced through the National Film Board of Canada, including “Nollywood Babylon” which debuted in the documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009 and was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize. Mallal continues to bring that documentary eye to narrative work.
“In talking to the team at m ss ng p eces, I was so impressed with their energy and openness, their collaborative nature, just their whole way of doing things, and I decided it would be the perfect fit for me,” said Mallal. “The industry is changing and I have projects in the works ranging from VR originals to narrative film/TV and m ss ng p eces is flexible enough that they can handle anything–there are no limits to what I can pursue.”
“I’ve been tracking Samir’s career since I first saw ‘Arctic Sun,’ which blew me away,” said Brian Latt, mp EP/partner. “His talent for bringing out emotion and creating stunning visuals is unparalleled in the industry. We are so excited to be working with him as he embarks on the next phase in his career.”
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragon’s two wins were for “The Red Dragon and the Gold” episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the “Part Six: Far,l Far Away” episode of Ahsoka.
The HPA’s Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: “Celebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.”
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More